We know all we need about the Port Security Grant now. At tonight’s public meeting, the third and final public meeting on the Port Security Grant, I asked why the system is run by the City of Seattle Police and not the Port of Seattle Police. The answer from Assistant Chief McDonagh: to get to… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – Ready or not here they come!
Public Hearings – Open Agenda Town Hall
Tonight at 6 PM, the Seattle City Council will be holding a Town Hall meeting at University Heights Center. If my information is correct, this is the first town hall meeting held since 2009. A few months ago, I made a post explaining how attending a public meeting won’t change the outcome of a decision. Keep that in… Continue reading Public Hearings – Open Agenda Town Hall
Seattle Police Cameras – The city does have the missing records!
Finally, an update! First off, I do have confirmation that the police installed the Canon VB-M40PTZ camera. Second, I think the reason for the coverup is becoming more clear. There appears to be quite a few inefficiencies in this project. The one that rises to the top is the $9795.19 RADIUS server. Unfortunately I still don’t have… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – The city does have the missing records!
The TSA: Knives Can’t Take Down an Airplane
As you may have heard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is changing their policy to allow pocket knives and sporting equipment onto airplanes. I think this is finally a move towards common sense, and eliminating unnecessary security theater, but Flight Attendants don’t agree. By approximately 9:45 AM on September 11th, the policy had changed from allowing the hijackers… Continue reading The TSA: Knives Can’t Take Down an Airplane
Seattle Police Cameras – Stalling until the public forgets
Just over a week ago, I sent in a formal appeal regarding the Seattle Police Department’s response to my early February request for the records and maps relating to the wireless mesh network. Like clockwork, I received a reply 5 business days later stating that the department was reviewing my request, and that I would receive a response on… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – Stalling until the public forgets
Seattle Police Cameras – The Public Records Blame Game
When you have a city as large as Seattle, distributed records are inevitable. But that doesn’t mean that public records requests need to turn into a game of finger pointing. The police department first tells me that the Purchasing department has the records I am looking for. The Purchasing department tells me the Police and… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – The Public Records Blame Game
Seattle Police Cameras – Belltown Public Meeting
I just got home from the police department’s meeting at Belltown Community Center, and I have to say, it was an interesting night. The meeting attendance was extremely light, I don’t believe anyone was actually there to learn about the issue. The room was about half city employees, one third against the police, and the… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – Belltown Public Meeting
Seattle Police Cameras – Upcoming Public Meeting and More Records Requests
The Seattle Police Department will be hosting a meeting at the Belltown Community Center, Tuesday, March 19th at 7 PM. I’ve prepared a flyer with material from the public records returned so far. I’ll be bringing a stack with me to distribute. This flyer presents all the relevant information in a concise form, and debunks many of the department… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – Upcoming Public Meeting and More Records Requests
Seattle Police Cameras – The records are in but are they complete?
Right on schedule, my public records request for info on the Wireless Mesh Network is back. What I’ve seen so far is alarming. I found 36 cameras ordered, with network capacity and infrastructure for over 180. Even better, the camera has a face detection function which, per the manual: “detects the position of human face and the… Continue reading Seattle Police Cameras – The records are in but are they complete?
Public Hearings – You Aren’t Doing It Right!
Every time a controversial issue comes up, one or more of the politicians involved decides to hold a public hearing. In fact, legislative bodies almost exclusively hold public meetings. Has anyone ever thought about why that is? If you said “so the public can provide input” you are likely wrong. Elections aren’t won or lost… Continue reading Public Hearings – You Aren’t Doing It Right!